Humility (humilitas)

In the sixth window, the final
intellectual virtue presented
is Humility, the indispensable
precondition for all genuine learning
and understanding. Rachel, shown
here as she prepares, servant-like, to
offer her hospitality to the fugitive
Jacob before watering her father's
flock, becomes in time the beautiful
wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph
and Benjamin. She is a traditional
symbol of both the humble and the
contemplative life. Rachel's many
barren years before the birth of Joseph
suggest the trials and long-suffering
that are overcome through humility.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153),
the author of The Steps of Humility
and Pride, understood well not only
how pride impedes knowledge and
learning, but also how transformative
and necessary humility is, in order to
understand oneself, others, and God.